WAR CHILD

After the (IMO) superb A Passion Play, which was not exactly well received, Tull decides to revisit the subject, but on from different angle. The result is the first song-based album since Aqualung, but they've apperently forgotten how to write short prog songs. What winds up coming out of the mix is an enjoyable rock album, but not a great prog album by any standards, especially Tull standards.

The album was originally supposed to be another concept album, unfortunately it did not turn out that day, and a lot of the instrumentalism was stripped down in order to make songs more radio friendly. And they are! In fact, in the Americas this album is highly regarded as a classic rock album. But I'll get back on their case as a prog album. WarChild as an album is good, but doesn't introduce anything new, as they so well did with Thick as a Brick, and did too much on A Passion Play. Some of the songs are catchy and good, with the title track, SEALION and SKATING AWAY... being some major standouts. the rest are mediocre at best, with songs like LADIES and BACK DOOR ANGELS traveling a very similar road, which works on a concept album, but not so much here. Quirkyness persists on songs like QUEEN AND COUNTRY and THE THIRD HOORAH or TWO FINGERS, which is usually okay, and in many of my reviews you'll find me defending quirk, but here it doesn't do Tull any justice. I will, however, stay true to my character and say that BUNGLE IN THE JUNGLE is a great song! As a prog song, maybe not, but as a rock song, it's catchy, it's mildly quirky, it's got melody, and it's just fun! (So there, I get to be a hypocrite, yay!).

So, overall, this /is/ a very good album, but that's what it is, good. Nothing extraordinary or particularly new here. Luckily their next album would be much better than this one. Nothing left to say. Three stars, non-essential, but enjoyable.

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